So here's your reminder that Redondo Beach at Wavecrest in Half Moon Bay exists, and it's one of the most underrated stretches of coastline within striking distance of the city.

Tucked along the San Mateo coast, Redondo (not to be confused with its Southern California namesake) offers the kind of wide, windswept solitude that actually makes you feel like you've escaped the Bay Area grind — without booking a flight. No $15 parking garages. No reservation-only beach access. No seven-dollar drip coffee from a converted shipping container. Just sand, waves, and the kind of open space that reminds you why the California coast is worth protecting from overdevelopment.

Fun bit of local lore: this is reportedly where Belinda Carlisle filmed her 1988 "Circle In The Sand" music video. If you're under 35, go YouTube it. If you're over 35, it's already playing in your head.

The broader point here isn't just "go to the beach." It's that the Bay Area is full of accessible public spaces that don't require government-funded activation programs, corporate sponsorships, or a task force to enjoy. Redondo Beach doesn't need a revitalization plan. It doesn't need a dedicated app. It just needs people to show up, enjoy it, and leave it the way they found it.

That's the beautiful thing about public land that's been left mostly alone — it actually works. No bureaucracy required.

So next time you're tempted to fight weekend traffic to some overhyped coastal spot, point your car south on Highway 1 instead. Half Moon Bay's quieter beaches are free, open, and blissfully under-instagrammed. Let's try to keep it that way.